Inertia

 A tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged. By definition, one could assume that inertia means laziness. However, if we truly understand the word and its meaning, we realize it can actually be quite the opposite. Inertia can be a powerful example of how people can start today and change themselves for the better.

    Let me explain. The latter part of the definition says "remain unchanged," but it doesn't say stagnant. That means once the train starts moving, it’s harder to stop. Once we decide to build habits—going to the gym, reading the Bible, or brushing our teeth—it becomes harder to stop doing them routinely!

    Take reading the Bible, for example. This is a habit I picked up this year. I am a cradle Catholic, attending church since I was a week old. I also went to a Catholic school from kindergarten through eighth grade. Needless to say, I’ve always been around the Word of God, whether I wanted to listen or not. However, throughout school and church, we rarely cracked open the Bible to read full verses, let alone chapters. One day, as I sat in my room, I asked myself: Do I really know what’s between these pages? Sure, I know the stories—whales, wine, and glory—but I had never taken the time to sit down and read them word for word, using my own imagination. This new habit has greatly impacted my life in a positive way. In fact, I just spent more time talking about it than I intended! But hey, once I started, it was hard to stop—something some people call inertia.

    On the flip side, it’s just as easy to fall into unhealthy habits: drinking, smoking, not getting enough rest, and failing to fuel the mind, body, and soul. These habits can be detrimental to personal growth and well-being. You might be wondering, "How do I build good habits?" Well, I don’t have the perfect answer, but I do have a suggestion. And wouldn’t you know it, reading is another great habit that becomes easier the more you do it! I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear—another former D3 athlete and a fellow Ohioan. This book helped me, and it might help you too.

    As you think about what’s next in your life, remember: an avalanche starts with a single snowflake that just begins to move.